About One Fin Wanderer
Meet Rosie…
Hi, I’m Rosie! Thanks so much for checking out my blog. There are a few things you should know about me…
I’m 25 and living in Manchester, UK – in January 2021 I will be quitting my job to start a dive master/research diver internship on a conservation project in Nusa Penida, Bali.
I was born missing my leg, as you might have guessed from the name of this blog! I have had a lot of surgeries and complications along the way, however I have always lived a life without any limits and have never seen my leg as a reason I can’t do something.
I graduated with a degree in Zoology and can’t wait to start a career in wildlife conservation.
I used to be a GB para-swimmer and trained with the GB team for many years, before just missing out on the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016.
When I missed out on my dreams of making a Paralympics I grabbed my backpack and spent the summer travelling the world solo instead and ended up falling in love, with scuba diving!
I have travelled to many countries since and I’m not finished yet – I’d love it if you would follow me on my journey.
I have set up One Fin Wanderer as a space to share my story and journey and all my tips and tricks that I have learnt from my travels over the years, including advice on becoming a diver, itineraries for the countries and trips I have done and on being a solo, female, disabled traveller.
Q&As
How did you lose your leg?
I was born missing my right leg below the knee but had to go through an amputation to remove my small, underdeveloped foot when I was 10 months old. I had many complications and many more surgeries growing up but I wouldn’t change any of it now.
When did you learn to dive?
I got certified as an SSI Open Water Diver in 2016 in Thailand, I loved it so much I changed my flight to stay longer and get my SSI Advanced Diver as well!
What’s your favourite country?
This is such a hard one as I love so many places I have been. The country which really stole my heart was Tanzania however. The people, wildlife, scenery, culture… I just fell head over heels.
What’s your proudest achievement?
Graduating with a first class in my Zoology degree at the University of Manchester! I went part time and studied for 6 years before graduating so I could balance it with my swimming career so it was a huge relief to get my degree.
